In order to face the rising cancer incidence across Europe, governments should prioritise prevention policies, as well as access to innovative medicines under an EU-wide plan, Romanian Health Minister Sorina Pintea told EURACTIV.com in an interview.

Organisations of patients with rare diseases have warned EU policymakers to “think carefully” before reviewing the incentives in the orphan drugs regulation, claiming that the pharma industry should not be discouraged from investing in new therapies.

The European Commission’s priority when tackling rare cancers such as sarcomas is to ensure European Reference Networks (ERNS) are put in place so that all patients have access to the best expertise available in the EU, Vytenis Andriukaitis told Euractiv.com in an interview.

There are huge differences when it comes to access to therapies for patients with rare diseases. The Commission could do more to make member states aware that this is unacceptable, says Terkel Andersen.

Patients with rare diseases are more vulnerable, as they live with more ambiguity about their affliction than others, according to Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis. But with the help of patient groups and national action plans in member states, their lives can be improved.

Europe can lead the way in developing gene therapies to tackle the growing and persistent problem of previously incurable diseases, with huge potential benefits for both patients and industry. Europe needs to promote cross-border research and facilitate access to these new therapies, argues Aurelio Maggio.

The European Commission will provide €144 million of new funding for 26 research projects, with the objective to deliver 200 new therapies for rare diseases by 2020, the EU's executive announced today (28 February).

Orphan drugs, pharmaceutical agents that are developed specifically to treat rare diseases, have the potential to generate as much lifetime revenue as drugs used for more common health conditions, according to a new study.

Several European Commission 2012 initiatives will impact healthcare innovation. The Horizon 2020 research programme will seek to link the health industry, public sector and academia in new research clusters. A revision to the Directive on Clinical Trials will seek to promote health research and innovation. Meanwhile, the Transparency Directive will ensure that research efforts translate into faster access to much- needed medicines.